The_AT Voice_NN1 of_IO Her_APPGE Laughter_NN1 :_: Mark_NP1 Twain_NN1 's_GE Tragic_JJ Feminism_NN1 In_II an_AT1 1865_MC letter_NN1 to_II his_APPGE brother_NN1 Orion_NP1 ,_, Mark_NP1 Twain_NN1 confesses_VVZ to_II having_VHG a_AT1 "_" call_NN1 to_II literature_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 low_JJ order_NN1 --_NN1 i.e._REX humorous_JJ ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 continues_VVZ by_II admitting_VVG to_II his_APPGE feckless_JJ brother_NN1 that_CST he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ made_VVN ,_, not_XX to_TO pursue_VVI any_DD honest_JJ trade_NN1 or_CC profession_NN1 ,_, but_CCB to_TO "_" excite_VVI the_AT laughter_NN1 of_IO God_NP1 's_GE creatures_NN2 ._. "_" 
In_II this_DD1 comic_JJ manifesto_NN1 ,_, Twain_NN1 positions_VVZ himself_PPX1 as_II a_AT1 prophet_NN1 of_IO sorts_NN2 ,_, delivering_VVG his_APPGE message_NN1 to_II an_AT1 audience_NN1 whose_DDQGE conversion_NN1 is_VBZ signaled_VVN by_II laughter_NN1 ._. 
For_IF Mark_NP1 Twain_NN1 ,_, as_II21 for_II22 every_AT1 working_JJ comic_NN1 ,_, laughter_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT only_JJ result_NN1 that_CST matters_NN2 ,_, the_AT final_JJ moment_NN1 in_II a_AT1 moral_JJ and_CC economic_JJ exchange_NN1 where_CS the_AT audience_NN1 pays_VVZ for_IF its_APPGE pleasure_NN1 by_II yielding_VVG to_II the_AT will_NN1 of_IO the_AT comic_NN1 ._. 
In_II his_APPGE autobiography_NN1 ,_, Twain_NN1 recalls_VVZ an_AT1 early_JJ performance_NN1 in_II San_NP1 Francisco_NP1 which_DDQ illustrates_VVZ this_DD1 dynamic_JJ ._. 
Twain_NP1 began_VVD his_APPGE routine_NN1 by_II telling_VVG and_CC retelling_VVG --_NN1 with_IW his_APPGE signature_NN1 deadpan_NN1 affect_NN1 --_NN1 "_" a_AT1 silly_JJ and_CC pointless_JJ and_CC unkillable_JJ anecdote_NN1 "_" five_MC times_NNT2 ,_, until_CS finally_RR the_AT audience_NN1 "_" recognized_VVD the_AT sell_NN1 and_CC broke_VVD into_II a_AT1 laugh_NN1 ._. "_" 
Twain_VV0 glories_NN2 not_XX only_RR in_II his_APPGE victory_NN1 over_II the_AT common_JJ sense_NN1 of_IO the_AT audience_NN1 (_( he_PPHS1 has_VHZ ,_, after_II all_DB ,_, convinced_VVD them_PPHO2 to_TO laugh_VVI at_II a_AT1 joke_NN1 that_CST 's_VBZ not_XX funny_JJ )_) ,_, but_CCB also_RR in_II the_AT sound_NN1 of_IO the_AT laughter_NN1 :_: It_PPH1 spread_VVD back_RP ,_, and_CC back_NN1 ,_, and_CC back_RP to_II the_AT furthest_JJT verge_NN1 of_IO the_AT place_NN1 ;_; then_RT swept_VVD forward_RL again_RT ,_, and_CC then_RT back_RP again_RT ,_, and_CC at_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 minute_NNT1 the_AT laughter_NN1 was_VBDZ as_RG universal_JJ and_CC as_RG thunderously_RR noisy_JJ as_II a_AT1 tempest_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 heavenly_JJ sound_NN1 to_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
After_II trying_VVG this_DD1 experiment_NN1 again_RT in_II New_NP1 York_NP1 ,_, Twain_NN1 was_VBDZ asked_VVN by_II James_NP1 Russell_NP1 Lowell_NP1 ,_, "_" What_DDQ do_VD0 you_PPY expect_VVI to_TO accomplish_VVI by_II it_PPH1 ?_? "_" and_CC Twain_NN1 replied_VVD "_" Only_RR a_AT1 laugh_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 want_VV0 the_AT audience_NN1 to_TO laugh_VVI ._. "_" 
This_DD1 laughter_NN1 for_IF Mark_NP1 Twain_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 visceral_JJ pleasure_NN1 ,_, one_PN1 that_CST mingles_VVZ physical_JJ and_CC spiritual_JJ ecstasy_NN1 :_: it_PPH1 is_VBZ &lsqb;_( End_VV0 Page_NN1 192_MC &rsqb;_) both_RR a_AT1 "_" heavenly_JJ sound_NN1 "_" and_CC a_AT1 sensual_JJ satisfaction_NN1 ._. 
Yet_RR despite_II the_AT innocent_JJ disclaimer_NN1 ,_, Twain_NN1 wants_VVZ more_RRR from_II his_APPGE audience_NN1 than_CSN "_" only_RR a_AT1 laugh_NN1 "_" ;_; he_PPHS1 wants_VVZ to_TO overcome_VVI his_APPGE audience_NN1 and_CC empower_VVI it_PPH1 simultaneously_RR ._. 
Twain_VV0 often_RR spoke_VVD of_IO laughter_NN1 in_II military_JJ and_CC violent_JJ terms_NN2 ,_, the_AT most_RGT famous_JJ example_NN1 being_VBG from_II "_" The_AT Chronicle_NN1 of_IO Young_NP1 Satan_NP1 ,_, "_" where_CS Satan_NP1 informs_VVZ his_APPGE human_JJ pupils_NN2 :_: For_IF your_APPGE race_NN1 ,_, in_II its_APPGE poverty_NN1 ,_, has_VHZ unquestionably_RR one_PN1 really_RR effective_JJ weapon_NN1 --_NN1 laughter_NN1 ._. 
Power_NN1 ,_, Money_NN1 ,_, Persuasion_NN1 ,_, Supplication_NN1 ,_, Persecution_NN1 --_NN1 these_DD2 can_VM lift_VVI at_II a_AT1 colossal_JJ humbug_NN1 ,_, --_NN1 push_VV0 it_PPH1 a_AT1 little_JJ --_JJ crowd_NN1 it_PPH1 a_AT1 little_JJ --_NN1 weaken_VV0 it_PPH1 a_RR21 little_RR22 ,_, century_NNT1 by_II century_NNT1 :_: but_CCB only_JJ Laughter_NN1 can_VM blow_VVI it_PPH1 to_II rags_NN2 and_CC atoms_NN2 at_II a_AT1 blast_NN1 ._. 
Against_II the_AT assault_NN1 of_IO Laughter_NN1 nothing_PN1 can_VM stand_VVI ._. 
Within_II this_DD1 collaborative_JJ and_CC combative_JJ process_NN1 of_IO "_" exciting_VVG the_AT laughter_NN1 of_IO God_NP1 's_GE creatures_NN2 "_" women_NN2 occupy_VV0 a_AT1 particularly_RR fraught_JJ position_NN1 ._. 
As_CSA bulwarks_NN2 of_IO religion_NN1 ,_, culture_NN1 ,_, and_CC all_DB the_AT edifying_JJ forces_NN2 of_IO civilization_NN1 ,_, women_NN2 are_VBR prime_JJ targets_NN2 of_IO Twain_NN1 's_GE satire_NN1 ;_; however_RR ,_, their_APPGE laughter_NN1 also_RR signals_VVZ a_AT1 terrifying_JJ and_CC exhilarating_JJ fissure_NN1 in_II these_DD2 defenses_NN2 ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 an_AT1 unsettling_JJ reorganization_NN1 of_IO gender_NN1 identity_NN1 ._. 
Although_CS Twain_NN1 begins_VVZ his_APPGE career_NN1 by_II engaging_VVG in_II comic_JJ battles_NN2 with_IW women_NN2 ,_, particularly_RR regarding_VVG such_DA issues_NN2 as_II suffrage_NN1 ,_, over_II time_NNT1 he_PPHS1 develops_VVZ these_DD2 battles_NN2 into_II dialogues_NN2 that_CST eventually_RR blur_VV0 the_AT lines_NN2 between_II the_AT male_JJ comic_NN1 and_CC the_AT female_JJ subject_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT characters_NN2 of_IO Aunt_NNB Rachel_NP1 ,_, Roxy_NP1 ,_, and_CC Eve_NP1 ,_, for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, we_PPIS2 see_VV0 Twain_NN1 tempted_VVN by_II the_AT promise_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 feminine_JJ laugh_NN1 ,_, yet_RR equally_RR committed_VVN to_II its_APPGE "_" fall_NN1 "_" or_CC erasure_NN1 ._. 
To_TO excite_VVI the_AT laughter_NN1 of_IO women_NN2 is_VBZ ,_, for_IF Mark_NP1 Twain_NN1 ,_, both_RR a_AT1 dangerous_JJ and_CC seductive_JJ desire_NN1 ,_, one_PN1 that_CST moves_VVZ him_PPHO1 toward_II a_AT1 series_NN of_IO cultural_JJ ,_, political_JJ ,_, and_CC theological_JJ revolutions_NN2 that_CST might_VM effect_VVI precisely_RR the_AT devastating_JJ consequences_NN2 that_CST Twain_NN1 ,_, as_CSA "_" Satan_NP1 ,_, "_" longs_VVZ for_IF ._. 
What_DDQ if_CS ,_, for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, Miss_NNB Watson_NP1 exchanges_NN2 her_APPGE sentiment_NN1 and_CC her_APPGE seriousness_NN1 for_IF humor_NN1 ?_? 
What_DDQ if_CS she_PPHS1 laughs_VVZ at_II the_AT conventional_JJ promises_NN2 of_IO Christianity_NN1 --_NN1 a_AT1 heaven_NN1 full_JJ of_IO harps_NN2 and_CC wings_NN2 --_NN1 rather_II21 than_II22 idealizing_VVG them_PPHO2 ?_? 
Mark_VV0 Twain_JJ --_NN1 the_AT icon_NN1 of_IO American_JJ masculinity_NN1 --_NN1 imagines_VVZ shattering_JJ patriarchal_JJ structures_NN2 in_II a_AT1 blast_NN1 of_IO feminine_JJ laughter_NN1 ._. 
The_AT evolution_NN1 of_IO Twain_NN1 's_GE feminism_NN1 ,_, as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 its_APPGE final_JJ defeat_NN1 ,_, will_VM be_VBI intimately_RR associated_VVN with_IW the_AT sound_NN1 of_IO women_NN2 laughing_VVG ._. 
The_AT next_MD of_IO Twain_NN1 's_GE comic_JJ "_" dark_JJ "_" ladies_NN2 (_( women_NN2 made_VVD suspect_NN1 either_RR by_II pigmentation_NN1 or_CC personality_NN1 )_) is_VBZ Roxana_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 character_NN1 who_PNQS emerges_VVZ from_II a_AT1 clear_JJ historical_JJ context_NN1 :_: the_AT sexual_JJ exploitation_NN1 and_CC objectification_NN1 of_IO black_JJ women_NN2 by_II white_JJ men_NN2 ._. 
James_NP1 M._NN1 Cox_NP1 describes_VVZ Roxy_NP1 's_GE power_NN1 as_CSA emerging_VVG from_II the_AT "_" submerged_JJ lust_NN1 "_" of_IO the_AT master_NN1 :_: "_" In_II rearing_VVG the_AT white_JJ man_NN1 's_GE legitimate_JJ children_NN2 and_CC giving_VVG birth_NN1 to_II his_APPGE illegitimate_JJ ones_NN2 ,_, Roxana_NP1 bears_NN2 what_DDQ their_APPGE honor_NN1 can_VM not_XX bear_VVI --_NN1 the_AT guilt_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE repressed_JJ desires_NN2 ._. 
Her_APPGE humiliation_NN1 (_( she_PPHS1 has_VHZ no_AT guilt_NN1 )_) takes_VVZ the_AT form_NN1 of_IO repressed_JJ vengeance_NN1 ._. "_" 
Twain_NN1 exposes_VVZ this_DD1 submerged_JJ narrative_NN1 in_II the_AT untold_JJ story_NN1 of_IO Tom_NP1 Driscoll_NP1 's_GE father_NN1 and_CC Roxy_NP1 's_GE paramour/assailant_NN1 :_: "_" Then_RT there_EX was_VBDZ Colonel_NNB Cecil_NP1 Burleigh_NP1 Essex_NP1 ,_, another_DD1 F.F.V._NP1 of_IO formidable_JJ caliber_NN1 --_NN1 however_RR ,_, with_IW him_PPHO1 we_PPIS2 have_VH0 no_AT concern_NN1 ._. "_" 
Out_II21 of_II22 this_DD1 repressed_JJ history_NN1 emerges_VVZ Roxy_NP1 's_GE potential_JJ to_TO disrupt_VVI Dawson_NP1 's_GE Landing_NN1 by_II switching_VVG her_APPGE child_NN1 for_IF that_DD1 of_IO the_AT master_NN1 ._. 
Carolyn_NP1 Porter_NP1 associates_VVZ Roxy_NP1 's_GE power_NN1 in_II the_AT tension_NN1 between_II the_AT "_" Mammy/Jezebel_NN1 "_" opposition_NN1 :_: "_" What_DDQ comes_VVZ into_II and_CC out_II21 of_II22 focus_NN1 in_II Twain_NN1 's_GE portrayal_NN1 of_IO Roxana_NP1 is_VBZ a_AT1 region_NN1 where_RRQ mothers_NN2 are_VBR sexual_JJ ,_, slaves_NN2 are_VBR powerful_JJ ,_, and_CC women_NN2 are_VBR temporarily_RR out_II21 of_II22 (_( and_CC thus_RR in_II )_) control_NN1 ._. "_" 
One_MC1 measure_NN1 of_IO Twain_NN1 's_GE experiment_NN1 with_IW women_NN2 's_GE liberation_NN1 ,_, or_CC at_RR21 least_RR22 this_DD1 particular_JJ black_JJ woman_NN1 's_GE liberation_NN1 ,_, is_VBZ the_AT shifting_JJ status_NN1 of_IO Roxy_NP1 's_GE laughter_NN1 within_II the_AT narrative_NN1 ._. 
Before_CS he_PPHS1 introduces_VVZ Roxy_NP1 's_GE feminist_NN1 ,_, outrageous_JJ laugh_NN1 ,_, Twain_NN1 exposes_VVZ the_AT impotence_NN1 of_IO an_AT1 exclusively_RR masculine_JJ humor_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT opening_NN1 chapters_NN2 of_IO Pudd'nhead_NP1 Wilson_NP1 ,_, Twain_NN1 opposes_VVZ the_AT blind_JJ literalism_NN1 of_IO Dawson_NP1 's_GE Landing_NN1 to_II the_AT irony_NN1 of_IO David_NP1 Wilson_NP1 ._. 
Wilson_NP1 's_GE joke_NN1 challenges_VVZ the_AT perceptions_NN2 of_IO the_AT townspeople_NN :_: "_" 'I_UH wish_VV0 I_PPIS1 owned_VVD half_DB that_DD1 dog_NN1 ._. '_" 
'Why_NN1 ?_? '_" 
Somebody_PN1 asked_VVD ._. 
'Because_VV0 I_PPIS1 would_VM kill_VVI my_APPGE half'_NN1 "_" ._. 
The_AT townspeople_NN lack_VV0 the_AT ability_NN1 to_TO recognize_VVI irony_NN1 ;_; they_PPHS2 ignore_VV0 the_AT tension_NN1 between_II exterior_JJ appearances_NN2 and_CC deeper_JJR truths_NN2 (_( the_AT same_DA structure_NN1 ,_, not_XX incidentally_RR ,_, that_DD1 Twain_NN1 uses_VVZ to_TO describe_VVI Livy_NP1 's_GE personality_NN1 )_) ,_, which_DDQ causes_VVZ them_PPHO2 to_TO miss_VVI more_DAR than_CSN Wilson_NP1 's_GE joke_NN1 :_: "_" The_AT group_NN1 searched_VVD his_APPGE face_NN1 with_IW curiosity_NN1 ,_, with_IW anxiety_NN1 even_RR ,_, but_CCB found_VVD no_AT light_NN1 there_RL ,_, no_AT expression_NN1 that_CST they_PPHS2 could_VM read_VVI "_" ._. 
The_AT people_NN of_IO Dawson_NP1 's_GE Landing_NN1 fail_VV0 to_TO recognize_VVI the_AT explosive_JJ conditions_NN2 that_CST lie_VV0 beneath_II the_AT bucolic_JJ and_CC pastoral_JJ surface_NN1 that_CST surrounds_VVZ them_PPHO2 :_: "_" Dawson_NP1 's_GE Landing_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 slave-holding_JJ town_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 rich_JJ slave-worked_JJ grain_NN1 and_CC pork_NN1 country_NN1 back_NN1 of_IO it_PPH1 ._. 
The_AT town_NN1 was_VBDZ sleepy_JJ ,_, and_CC comfortable_JJ ,_, and_CC contented_VVD "_" ._. 
Roxy_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT only_JJ character_NN1 in_II the_AT novel_JJ capable_JJ of_IO appreciating_VVG Wilson_NP1 's_GE humor_NN1 ,_, just_RR as_CSA she_PPHS1 is_VBZ the_AT only_JJ one_PN1 who_PNQS knows_VVZ that_CST he_PPHS1 's_VBZ not_XX a_AT1 pudd'nhead_NN1 :_: "_" Dey_NP1 calls_VVZ him_PPHO1 a_AT1 pudd'nhead_NN1 ,_, en_FW says_VVZ he_PPHS1 's_VBZ a_AT1 fool_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE lan'_NN1 ,_, dat_DD1 man_NN1 ai_FU n't_XX no_AT more_RGR fool_JJ den_NN1 I_ZZ1 is_VBZ !_! 
He_PPHS1 's_VBZ de_NP1 smartes_NN2 man_NN1 in_II dis_DD1 town_NN1 "_" ._. 
At_II the_AT beginning_NN1 of_IO the_AT novel_NN1 ,_, Twain_NN1 describes_VVZ both_RR Roxy_JJ and_CC Wilson_NP1 as_CSA hiding_VVG something_PN1 from_II our_APPGE view_NN1 ._. 
The_AT covert_JJ twinkle_NN1 in_II David_NP1 &lsqb;_( End_VV0 Page_NN1 203_MC &rsqb;_) Wilson_NP1 's_GE eye_NN1 and_CC the_AT black_JJ blood_NN1 hidden_VVN beneath_II Roxy_NP1 's_GE white_JJ skin_NN1 make_VV0 them_PPHO2 both_RR an_AT1 embodiment_NN1 of_IO irony_NN1 ._. 
Twain_NN1 opens_VVZ the_AT novel_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 male_JJ joker_NN1 whose_DDQGE humor_NN1 fails_VVZ to_TO connect_VVI with_IW his_APPGE all-male_JJ audience_NN1 ;_; he_PPHS1 follows_VVZ with_IW a_AT1 description_NN1 of_IO Roxy_NP1 and_CC her_APPGE explosive_JJ laugh_NN1 ._. 
In_II31 response_II32 to_II33 Jasper_NP1 's_GE promise_NN1 to_TO come_VVI courting_VVG ,_, Roxy_NP1 declares_VVZ ,_, "_" 'You_NNU is_VBZ ,_, you_PPY black_JJ mud-cat_NN1 !_! 
Yah-yah-yah_UH !_! 
I_PPIS1 got_VVD sump'n_NN1 better_RRR to_TO do_VDI den_NN1 'sociat'n_NN1 wid_IW niggers_NN2 as_RG black_JJ as_CSA you_PPY is_VBZ ._. 
Is_VBZ old_JJ Miss_NNB Cooper_NP1 's_GE Nancy_NP1 done_VDN give_VV0 you_PPY de_NP1 mitten_NN1 ?_? '_" 
Roxy_NP1 followed_VVD this_DD1 sally_NN1 with_IW another_DD1 discharge_NN1 of_IO care-free_JJ laughter_NN1 "_" ._. 
The_AT latent_JJ violence_NN1 of_IO Roxy_NP1 's_GE "_" discharge_NN1 "_" of_IO laughter_NN1 makes_VVZ apparent_JJ what_DDQ Dawson_NP1 's_GE Landing_NN1 would_VM prefer_VVI to_TO remain_VVI invisible_JJ :_: the_AT "_" fiction_NN1 of_IO law_NN1 and_CC custom_NN1 "_" that_CST creates_VVZ the_AT slave_NN1 economy_NN1 ._. 
Twain_NN1 links_VVZ David_NP1 Wilson_NP1 (_( a_AT1 white_JJ man_NN1 who_PNQS jokes_VVZ about_II invisible_JJ dogs_NN2 )_) and_CC Roxana_NP1 (_( a_AT1 black_JJ woman_NN1 who_PNQS laughs_VVZ at_II mud_NN1 cats_NN2 )_) in_II an_AT1 imaginative_JJ relationship_NN1 that_CST threatens_VVZ to_TO transform_VVI the_AT racial_JJ landscape_NN1 of_IO the_AT community_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 pairing_NN1 also_RR reframes_VVZ the_AT combative_JJ dialogue_NN1 between_II "_" Mr._NNB and_CC Mrs._NNB Mark_NP1 Twain_NN1 "_" and_CC instead_RR suggests_VVZ a_AT1 collaboration_NN1 in_II which_DDQ men_NN2 and_CC women_NN2 conspire_VV0 to_TO affect_VVI change_NN1 through_II the_AT "_" assault_NN1 "_" of_IO their_APPGE laughter_NN1 ,_, possibly_RR leaving_VVG Dawson_NP1 's_GE Landing_NN1 "_" physically_RR exhausted_VVN and_CC spiritually_RR reconciled_VVN ._. "_" 
Puddn'head_NN1 and_CC Roxy_NP1 begin_VV0 the_AT novel_NN1 poised_VVN to_TO share_VVI in_II a_AT1 moment_NN1 of_IO humor_NN1 that_CST resembles_VVZ the_AT convulsions_NN2 of_IO laughter_NN1 shared_VVN by_II Twain_NN1 and_CC Olivia_NP1 ._. 
In_II the_AT potential_JJ union_NN1 of_IO David_NP1 Wilson_NP1 and_CC Roxana_NP1 ,_, Twain_NN1 contemplates_VVZ a_AT1 powerful_JJ alignment_NN1 of_IO masculinity_NN1 and_CC femininity_NN1 ,_, black_JJ and_CC white_JJ ,_, which_DDQ could_VM wake_VVI the_AT town_NN1 of_IO Dawson_NP1 's_GE Landing_NN1 out_II21 of_II22 its_APPGE slumbers_NN2 ._. 
What_DDQ evolves_VVZ between_II Twain_NN1 and_CC his_APPGE female_JJ audiences_NN2 is_VBZ a_AT1 kind_NN1 of_IO ritual_NN1 of_IO seduction_NN1 and_CC betrayal_NN1 best_RRT exemplified_VVN in_II a_AT1 scene_NN1 described_VVN by_II Justin_NP1 Kaplan_NP1 ._. 
Twain_NP1 intended_VVD to_TO read_VVI "_" The_AT Golden_JJ Arm_NN1 "_" at_II Bryn_NP1 Mawr_NP1 where_RRQ Susy_NP1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 first-year_JJ student_NN1 ._. 
Susy_NP1 found_VVD the_AT story_NN1 unsophisticated_JJ and_CC inappropriate_JJ for_IF the_AT setting_NN1 ,_, and_CC Kaplan_NP1 also_RR suggests_VVZ that_CST she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ especially_RR troubled_VVN by_II Twain_NN1 's_GE affection_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 story_NN1 in_II which_DDQ a_AT1 husband_NN1 profits_NN2 from_II the_AT death_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE wife_NN1 ._. 
According_II21 to_II22 Kaplan_NP1 ,_, Susy_NP1 begged_VVD her_APPGE father_NN1 :_: "_" Promise_VV0 me_PPIO1 that_CST you_PPY will_VM not_XX tell_VVI the_AT ghost_NN1 story_NN1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD when_RRQ she_PPHS1 met_VVD him_PPHO1 at_II the_AT station_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 laughed_VVD ,_, patted_VVD her_PPHO1 on_II the_AT head_NN1 ,_, and_CC promised_VVD ,_, even_CS21 though_CS22 at_II no_AT time_NNT1 had_VHD he_PPHS1 considered_VVN leaving_VVG it_PPH1 out_II21 of_II22 the_AT program_NN1 ...._... 
When_CS he_PPHS1 started_VVD telling_VVG the_AT story_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 ran_VVD up_RP the_AT aisle_NN1 and_CC out_II21 of_II22 the_AT room_NN1 ,_, weeping_VVG ._. 
The_AT explanation_NN1 for_IF Twain_NN1 's_GE oddly_RR cruel_JJ behavior_NN1 can_VM be_VBI found_VVN in_II his_APPGE essay_NN1 "_" How_RRQ to_TO Tell_VV0 a_AT1 Story_NN1 ._. "_" 
Twain_NN1 explains_VVZ that_CST when_CS he_PPHS1 performed_VVD "_" The_AT Golden_JJ Arm_NN1 ,_, "_" "_" if_CS I_PPIS1 got_VVD it_PPH1 &lsqb;_( the_AT pause_NN1 &rsqb;_) the_AT right_JJ length_NN1 precisely_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 could_VM spring_VVI the_AT finishing_JJ ejaculation_NN1 with_IW effect_NN1 enough_RR to_TO make_VVI some_DD impressible_JJ girl_NN1 deliver_VV0 a_AT1 startled_JJ little_JJ yelp_NN1 and_CC jump_VV0 out_II21 of_II22 her_APPGE seat_NN1 --_NN1 and_CC that_DD1 was_VBDZ what_DDQ I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ after_RT ._. "_" 
Mark_NP1 Twain_NN1 ,_, author_NN1 of_IO "_" Some_DD Thoughts_NN2 on_II the_AT Science_NN1 of_IO Onanism_NN1 ,_, "_" surely_RR is_VBZ aware_JJ of_IO the_AT sexual_JJ overtones_NN2 of_IO his_APPGE description_NN1 ,_, that_DD1 with_IW his_APPGE "_" finishing_JJ ejaculation_NN1 "_" he_PPHS1 could_VM make_VVI a_AT1 young_JJ girl_NN1 "_" deliver_VV0 a_AT1 startled_JJ little_JJ yelp_NN1 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 longs_VVZ for_IF this_DD1 seductive_JJ relationship_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 female_JJ audience_NN1 to_TO excite_VVI women_NN2 's_GE laughter_NN1 ,_, to_TO shock_VVI them_PPHO2 into_II an_AT1 almost_RR orgasmic_JJ state_NN1 of_IO surprise_NN1 ,_, laughter_NN1 ,_, and_CC relief_NN1 ._. 
Yet_RR the_AT other_JJ side_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 scenario_NN1 is_VBZ equally_RR a_AT1 part_NN1 of_IO Twain_NN1 's_GE relationship_NN1 to_II women_NN2 's_GE laughter_NN1 ._. 
Twain_NN1 's_VBZ laughing_VVG women_NN2 all_DB end_VV0 their_APPGE narratives_NN2 in_II sorrow_NN1 ,_, punished_VVN or_CC chastened_JJ by_II some_DD patriarchal_JJ figure_NN1 (_( David_NP1 Wilson_NP1 ,_, God_NP1 the_AT father_NN1 ,_, Mark_NP1 Twain_NN1 )_) ._. 
The_AT girls_NN2 laugh_VV0 ,_, while_CS Susy_NP1 runs_VVZ from_II the_AT auditorium_NN1 weeping_NN1 ._. 
Twain_NP1 's_GE origins_NN2 as_II a_AT1 comic_JJ performer_NN1 are_VBR bound_VVN up_RP in_II this_DD1 cycle_NN1 of_IO exciting_JJ &lsqb;_( End_VV0 Page_NN1 210_MC &rsqb;_) the_AT laughter_NN1 of_IO women_NN2 and_CC then_RT excluding_VVG them_PPHO2 from_II fully_RR appreciating_VVG the_AT humor_NN1 ._. 
As_II an_AT1 adolescent_NN1 in_II Hannibal_NP1 ,_, Twain_NN1 pretended_VVD to_TO be_VBI under_II the_AT sway_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 traveling_JJ hypnotist_NN1 ,_, an_AT1 act_NN1 which_DDQ his_APPGE mother_NN1 believed_VVD entirely_RR :_: I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ fourteen_MC or_CC fifteen_MC years_NNT2 old_JJ ,_, the_AT age_NN1 at_II which_DDQ a_AT1 boy_NN1 is_VBZ willing_JJ to_TO endure_VVI all_DB things_NN2 ,_, suffer_VV0 all_DB things_NN2 short_JJ of_IO death_NN1 by_II fire_NN1 ,_, if_CS thereby_RR he_PPHS1 may_VM be_VBI conspicuous_JJ and_CC show_VV0 off_RP before_II the_AT public_NN1 ;_; and_CC so_RR when_CS I_PPIS1 saw_VVD the_AT "_" subjects_NN2 "_" perform_VV0 their_APPGE foolish_JJ antics_NN2 on_II the_AT platform_NN1 and_CC make_VV0 the_AT people_NN laugh_VVI and_CC shout_NN1 and_CC admire_VV0 I_PPIS1 had_VHD a_AT1 burning_JJ desire_NN1 to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 subject_NN1 myself_PPX1 ._. 
Years_NNT2 later_RRR ,_, Twain_NN1 attempted_VVD to_TO confide_VVI in_II his_APPGE mother_NN1 the_AT truth_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE antics_NN2 "_" but_CCB she_PPHS1 refused_VVD to_TO believe_VVI that_CST I_PPIS1 had_VHD invented_VVN my_APPGE visions_NN2 myself_PPX1 ;_; she_PPHS1 said_VVD it_PPH1 was_VBDZ folly_NN1 :_: that_CST I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ only_RR a_AT1 child_NN1 at_II the_AT time_NNT1 and_CC could_VM not_XX have_VHI done_VDN it_PPH1 ...._... 
And_CC so_RR the_AT lie_NN1 which_DDQ I_PPIS1 played_VVD upon_II her_PPHO1 in_II my_APPGE youth_NN1 remained_VVD with_IW her_PPHO1 as_II an_AT1 unchallengeable_JJ truth_NN1 to_II the_AT day_NNT1 of_IO her_APPGE death_NN1 ._. 
Carlyle_NP1 said_VVD ,_, 'A_UH lie_VV0 can_VM not_XX live_VVI ._. '_" 
It_PPH1 proves_VVZ he_PPHS1 did_VDD not_XX know_VVI how_RRQ to_TO tell_VVI one_PN1 "_" ._. 
The_AT language_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 passage_NN1 has_VHZ less_DAR to_TO do_VDI with_IW telling_VVG the_AT truth_NN1 than_CSN with_IW getting_VVG the_AT joke_NN1 ._. 
The_AT young_JJ Sam_NP1 plays_VVZ this_DD1 prank_NN1 upon_II his_APPGE mother_NN1 while_CS the_AT older_JJR Mark_NN1 Twain_NN1 mourns_VVZ the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST she_PPHS1 will_VM never_RR share_VVI the_AT humor_NN1 with_IW him_PPHO1 ._. 
Twain_NN1 suggests_VVZ in_II his_APPGE portraits_NN2 of_IO Eve_NP1 ,_, Roxy_NP1 ,_, and_CC Aunt_NNB Rachel_NP1 that_CST this_DD1 alienation_NN1 of_IO the_AT male_JJ joker_NN1 from_II the_AT laughter_NN1 of_IO women_NN2 is_VBZ the_AT "_" fate_NN1 "_" of_IO gender_NN1 ._. 
